Investigation of device parameters for field-effect DNA-sensors by three-dimensional simulation

The development of a DNA field-effect transistor (DNAFET) simulator is described and implications on device structure and future experiments are discussed in this paper. In DNAFETs the gate structure is replaced by a layer of immobilized single-stranded DNA molecules which act as surface probe molecules. When complementary DNA strands bind to the receptors, the charge distribution near the surface of the device changes, modulating current transport through the device and enabling detection. Arrays of DNAFETs can be used for detecting single-nucleotide polymorphisms and for DNA sequencing. The advantage of DNAFETs over optical methods of detection is that DNAFETs allow direct, label-free operation.